18.7.11

Burroughs placed a curse on Capote for perceived misuse of talent

At Reality Studio, Thom Robinson reveals that William S. Burroughs attempted to place a curse on Truman Capote's writing career: 'Burroughs suggests Capote could have made positive use of his talents, presumably by applying them to the expansion of human consciousness (“You were granted an area for psychic development”). Instead, Burroughs finds that Capote has sold out a talent “that is not yours to sell.” In retribution for having misused “the talent that was granted you by this department”, Burroughs starkly warns “That talent is now officially withdrawn,” signing off with the sinister admonition, “You will never have anything else. You will never write another sentence above the level of In Cold Blood. As a writer you are finished.”' [Read More]